He said he was particularly concerned at reports that sarin may have been used.

He says Australia has some military personnel in the region, but that they have been trained in handling chemical weapons attacks.

"Our concern of course is their well-being," he said.

"These Australian personnel have been trained in handling chemical weapons attacks."

Mr Rudd said urgent weapons inspections are needed, either voluntarily or " forced".

"For me it is gut wrenching to see this unfolding," he said.

"To think that these sorts of attacks could occur on unarmed civilians It is like a medieval barbaric scene."

Earlier today, Mr Rudd also took a swipe at former prime minister John Howard's decision to intervene militarily in Iraq.

"On the analysis based on the information available to the government at this time, indications point to the use of chemical weapons, and indications point to the likely use by the [Syrian] regime," Mr Rudd said on ABC TV's Insiders this morning.

"However no one should rush to that conclusion until we have the report from the UN weapons inspectors."

"I think we're all very reminiscent of when previous Australian governments and other Governments went into armed conflict in Iraq, frankly, based on something that was, entirely incorrect," he said.

Mr Rudd said the onus was the Syrian regime to prove they did not attack civilians with chemical weapons.

"And the [United Nations] weapons inspectors can provide that proof," he said.

"When it comes to the situation in Syria ... It's absolutely critical that we get the facts correct first.

Mr Rudd attended a security briefing on the situation in Syria last night in Canberra.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr has been in contact with both the French and British foreign ministers and foreign secretary.